God is Here

At the end of my freshman year in college I had this crazy idea that I wanted to go to Oxford for a semester. I got together all the documents and turned them all in. I was so excited. I was going to study abroad! However, in that moment my mood instantly changed. I was on the waiting list. I thought that was the end of it. I started to think of other things I could look forward to during that semester (I actually came up with quite a few).

Throughout the entire summer I became content with the idea of staying in Abilene for another semester. I soon forgot that I had been so excited about studying abroad in the first place. That was until I got an email. There was space in the study abroad program that I had originally applied for. When I read the email I instantly thought, "what do I do now?" Most people would have replied back in an instant. Since I had thought about so many alternatives I became okay with them. 

I eventually emailed back saying that I would go. Leading up to the next semester I contemplated my decision. I went back and forth trying to figure out which option was the best. One day I was completely sure that I wanted to go halfway around the world away from everything I knew. The next day I would back out and think, "there is absolutely no way that I can leave my life here in Houston/Abilene and go to another country for a semester." With that said, I doubted God many times. I didn't think he would provide for me financially. I eventually accepted the fact that I was going to study abroad.

Before we left the states, we (all the study abroad students) met and prepared for our journey. In one of the meetings we talked about how there is two sides of the spectrum. One side is super excited about this upcoming journey and is completely ready. The other is sad and is thinking, "Oh man, I am about to leave the country. I don't think I am ready for this." This one described me to a T. I just said bye to my mom and I wasn't going to see her for four months.

I was sad and missed all my people back in the states for a little bit. I kept telling some of my friends that I didn't know how I have survived this long without them. Then I realized something. God is Here. He has been with me ever since I left Texas. He is the reason I have survived without my friends and family back home. He is present all the way over here in Oxford and in the other places I have visited too. God is the same halfway across the world as He is in my hometown. He is unchanging.

Here are some photos that I have taken and seen God in:

This is a picture of the inside of St. Aldates which is a church in Oxford.

This is a picture of the Abbey in Bath. So beautiful!

This is the Berlin Cathedral. I just think that this picture is stunning.

This is the view from the top of the Berlin Cathedral. This was worth the climb!

This is Athens from the top of a hill I climbed. Amazing right?

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 

Much Love, 

Angela Paige